Introduction

The built environment is the term used to describe buildings and works, and the other modifications which the human race makes to the natural environment. Development and planning are the functions which create and sustain it. Shelter costs most households, firms and other organizations significant proportions of their income or revenue and creates a substantial proportion of their wealth. Since developing and sustaining the built environment is such a large user of resources and creator of wealth, it is not surprising that these activities have a considerable impact on the functioning of the national economy; it is clearly important that the available resources should be used in the most beneficial way. Economy in the use of resources implies not cheapness but value for money.